A Criticism of Shadiversity's "AI Love Letter"

DeviantRahll
10 Oct 202322:14

TLDRThe video script discusses the role of AI in art creation, highlighting the debate around the skills and effort involved in using AI to generate images. The speaker, a professional artist, critiques an individual's claim of artistry in AI-assisted work, arguing that the technology does most of the work while humans provide minor edits and direction. The speaker emphasizes the importance of traditional artistic skills and expresses concern over the potential loss of originality and artistry in the wake of AI advancements.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 Shadiversity's progression in AI-assisted art is not due to an increase in his artistic skills, but rather advancements in AI models and algorithms.
  • 🔍 The comparison between Shad's AI-assisted art from 6 months ago and his current work does not demonstrate significant artistic growth, but rather a change in lighting and possibly different AI models.
  • ⚖️ The debate around AI art often overlooks the fact that these image generators are built on data that includes unlicensed work from artists without consent, credit, or compensation.
  • 👁️‍🗨️ The process of using AI image generators involves technical knowledge and skill, such as refining prompts and understanding the importance of keyword order and weight.
  • 💡 The use of multiple AI models to achieve a desired image is not a novel or particularly skilled approach; it is a common practice among those familiar with AI image generation tools.
  • 🚫 Shad's video is criticized as a self-congratulatory attempt to position himself as a talented artist, despite the heavy reliance on AI for the creative output.
  • 🎭 The critique argues that Shad's original artwork has fundamental issues with lighting, shading, perspective, anatomy, and balance, and that the AI-assisted version does not necessarily improve upon these aspects.
  • 🔧 Shad's editing process in Photoshop is described as basic and not indicative of significant artistic skill or effort.
  • 🤔 The claim that AI art represents a high level of artistry and technical skill is questioned, as the process seems to require more patience and a willingness to experiment with AI prompts rather than traditional artistic talent.
  • 💥 The critique emphasizes the importance of originality and human creativity in art, arguing that the reliance on AI for artistic creation can lead to a loss of human touch and authenticity in the artwork.

Q & A

  • What is the main point of contention between Shad and the critic in the transcript?

    -The main point of contention is the value and authenticity of AI-assisted art versus traditional artistry. Shad believes his work with AI tools demonstrates significant artistic talent, while the critic argues that it's the AI models, not Shad's skills, that are creating the art.

  • How does the critic view the evolution of Shad's AI-assisted art skills over six months?

    -The critic believes that the perceived improvement in Shad's AI-assisted art is not due to an increase in Shad's artistic skills, but rather the result of using updated AI models and better prompts.

  • What is the critic's stance on the democratization of art through AI?

    -The critic questions the democratization claim of AI in art, as they observe that high effort AI images appear virtually indistinguishable from low effort ones, suggesting that the key factor is not talent or skill, but patience and persistence in using the AI tools.

  • How does the critic describe Shad's original art before AI conversion?

    -The critic finds Shad's original art lacking in fundamentals such as lighting, shading, perspective, and anatomy, suggesting that it's a prime example of relying on AI to do the work instead of learning and applying the necessary artistic skills.

  • What is the critic's professional background?

    -The critic, Reed Souin, is a concept artist and illustrator with 15 years of experience in the film industry, having worked on major franchises like The Matrix, The Hunger Games, and Transformers, and for Marvel and DC.

  • What is the critic's main concern about AI art generators?

    -The critic's main concern is the ethical issue of AI art generators being built off billions of pieces of data, including unlicensed work of artists like themselves, without consent, credit, or compensation.

  • How does the critic view Shad's process of using AI image generators?

    -The critic sees Shad's process as a trial and error method with numerous parameters and typos in the prompts, which does not demonstrate a deep understanding or skillful use of AI technology.

  • What does the critic argue about the role of AI in Shad's art creation?

    -The critic argues that Shad's portrayal of himself as a talented artist is misleading, as the AI is doing most of the work, and Shad is merely directing it through prompts and minor edits, which does not constitute true artistry.

  • How does the critic describe the final output of Shad's AI-assisted art process?

    -The critic acknowledges that the final output can be beautiful, but emphasizes that it is the result of human input and guidance throughout the process, not solely the work of the AI.

  • What is the critic's ultimate message regarding AI and art?

    -The critic's ultimate message is a call for ethical AI models that respect artists' rights and a recognition that AI-assisted art is not a replacement for true human artistry, but rather a tool that can be used to enhance it.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 AI Art and the Misrepresentation of Skill

The paragraph discusses the misconceptions about the level of skill and effort required in creating AI-assisted art. It critiques the idea that AI art represents a significant advancement in artistic ability, arguing that the improvements seen are due to better models rather than the artist's skill. The speaker, Reed, points out that the AI's output is not a true reflection of the artist's talent, as the artist relies heavily on the technology and contributes minimal effort to the final product. The critique extends to the idea that AI art democratizes creativity, questioning the high effort put into generating AI images that yield results no better than those from low-effort ones.

05:01

🤖 The Illusion of Artistry in AI Image Generation

This section delves into the technical aspects of using AI image generators, highlighting that the process requires learning and adapting to new updates and extensions. It criticizes the notion that finding effective prompts and learning to use AI tools is a complex and time-consuming task, arguing that with numerous resources available, it's not as difficult as it's made out to be. The speaker also points out the lack of artistry in the AI-generated images, emphasizing that the technology does most of the work while the artist merely directs it. The paragraph underscores the importance of having a true artistic vision and skill, which the speaker believes is absent in AI-assisted art.

10:02

🖌️ The Human Touch in AI Art: A Myth?

The paragraph addresses the human input necessary to refine AI-generated art, arguing against the idea that AI alone is responsible for the final product. It describes the process of upscaling images and using Photoshop for basic editing tasks, emphasizing that these are simple skills easily learned and not indicative of high artistry. The speaker accuses the AI artist of misrepresenting the amount of work and skill involved in creating the art, pointing out the disingenuous claim that the AI is the primary creator while significant human intervention is evident.

15:03

👨‍🎨 The Role of the Artist in AI Art Creation

This section scrutinizes the role of the artist in the creation of AI art, questioning the artist's claim of having a unique style and significant input. It challenges the idea that the artist's selection and combination of AI-generated parts demonstrate artistic skill, arguing that it's more akin to photobashing than creating. The speaker also disputes the artist's assertion of having anatomical knowledge and proportion, highlighting the flaws in the final product. The paragraph asserts that the artist is more of an art director than an actual creator, directing the AI to achieve a desired outcome rather than producing original work.

20:04

🚫 The Ethical and Professional Implications of AI Art

The final paragraph discusses the broader implications of AI art on the art industry, emphasizing the ethical concerns of using artists' works without consent, compensation, or credit. It argues that AI art contributes to the devaluation of original artistic skills and the loss of jobs in the industry. The speaker expresses concern about the future of art, where originality and human creativity are being replaced by AI-generated derivative works. The paragraph calls for a recognition of the human effort and talent behind true art, urging for a more ethical approach to AI art that respects and compensates the original artists whose work is used to train the AI models.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI Art

AI Art refers to the creation of visual art using artificial intelligence, often through machine learning models that generate images based on input data. In the video, the speaker discusses the role of AI in art creation and argues that it requires significant human input and artistic skill to produce high-quality results.

💡Skill

Skill, in the context of the video, refers to the technical abilities and artistic knowledge required to create art, whether traditional or AI-assisted. The speaker emphasizes that true skill involves understanding and applying fundamental artistic principles, not just using AI tools.

💡Artistry

Artistry encompasses the creative expression, aesthetic vision, and unique style that an artist brings to their work. The video discusses artistry in relation to AI-generated art, questioning whether the AI or the human input is the primary contributor to the final piece.

💡Technical Knowledge

Technical knowledge refers to the understanding of the tools, techniques, and processes involved in creating art. In the context of the video, it highlights the importance of knowing how to use AI tools effectively to produce quality art.

💡Democratization

Democratization in the context of the video refers to the idea that AI art tools make it possible for anyone to create impressive artwork with minimal effort, potentially lowering the barrier to entry for artistic creation. However, the speaker questions the value of such democratization if it undermines the skill and effort required in traditional art practices.

💡Effort

Effort in the video refers to the amount of work and energy an individual puts into creating art. The speaker argues that while AI can reduce the effort needed to produce an image, the human input of refining and editing is still a significant part of the creative process.

💡Prompts

Prompts are the inputs or instructions given to AI to generate specific images. In the video, the speaker discusses the importance of crafting effective prompts to guide the AI in producing desired artistic outcomes.

💡Anatomy

Anatomy in the context of the video relates to the accurate representation of the human body's structure in art. The speaker, being a professional artist, critiques the AI-generated art for its lack of anatomical accuracy and the importance of human intervention to correct these issues.

💡Creativity

Creativity in the video is discussed as the originality and innovation in artistic expression. The speaker argues that while AI can generate images based on existing data, true creativity comes from the human artist's ability to create something unique and expressive.

💡Ethical Concerns

Ethical concerns in the video pertain to the use of artists' works in training AI models without consent, credit, or compensation. The speaker raises issues about the ethical implications of AI art on the artistic community and the potential loss of jobs and originality in the field.

💡Human Input

Human input in the video refers to the artist's role in guiding the AI, editing its output, and making creative decisions. The speaker argues that despite the use of AI, it is the human artist's input that ultimately shapes the final piece of art.

Highlights

Shadiversity's love letter to AI art showcases his journey and the evolution of his AI-assisted art skills over six months.

The left image represents Shad's AI-assisted art skill from six months ago, while the right displays his current level, sparking a debate on the real progress made.

The discussion emphasizes the importance of technical knowledge and the amount of work involved in creating AI-assisted art, challenging the notion of it being easy and effortless.

Reed, a professional concept artist with 15 years of experience, shares his perspective on the art created with and without AI assistance.

The critique highlights the discrepancy between the effort put into AI art and the results, questioning the value of high-effort images over low-effort ones.

AI art is positioned as a democratizing force, allowing everyone to create amazing things with minimal effort, contrasting with the traditional view of art requiring significant skill and talent.

The critique points out the lack of growth in Shad's art, suggesting that the improvements seen are due to updated AI models rather than Shad's own skill development.

Shad's process of using multiple AI models to achieve a single image is presented as innovative, but the critique argues that this is a common practice among AI art enthusiasts.

The critique emphasizes the need for learning and adapting to new updates in AI software, framing it as a technical skill that is often overlooked in discussions about AI art.

The transcript addresses the ethical concerns surrounding AI art, particularly the use of artists' work without consent, credit, or compensation.

Shad's defensive stance on his AI art is highlighted, as he insists on the artistic merit and enhancement it provides over traditional art methods.

The critique argues that Shad's AI-generated art lacks the fundamentals of good art, such as proper lighting, shading, perspective, and anatomy.

The transcript discusses the role of AI as a tool versus the artistry of the individual, questioning where the credit for the final product should lie.

The critique asserts that Shad's process is more about directing the AI than creating art himself, blurring the lines between artist and art director.

The final image created by Shad is presented as a testament to his artistic vision and skill, but the critique argues that it is the AI doing the majority of the work.

The critique concludes by emphasizing the importance of original human creativity in art and the potential loss of humanity and originality if AI art becomes the norm.